Old school vs new school slalom

**oldfartsk8r** · 08-22-2007 05:00 PM

I'm just getting back into this after some 20+ yrs, and though I've searched this forum, I can find all kinds of info about peoples setups,......... what I can't find is why ??

My last slalom board was a 27" G&S Fibreflex cutaway / full trackers / OJ slaloms. Everything about that setup versus the setups I see today, is wrong. People are running flat decks / w kicktails / narrow trucks / and larger diameter wheels.

As far as stance and technique, it all seems the same. I never used a parrallel stance, but more of a modified surf stance, with my feet at an angle towards the front. (my biggest problem back then was that my toes would clip cones, thus the angled stance) We pumped a board, same as it seems today, though it looks as if the trucks are doing more of the work nowadays. Back then the flex of the deck made up for the lack of trucks turning ratio. Wheels had offset bearings, square lips, and alot of grip (for then) but way smaller diameter.

So, what exactly happened ? Or more importantly, is there a thread that explains WHY folks are setting up like this now ? Thanks !

**sk8r_betty** · 08-23-2007 09:05 AM

Like every skateboarding discipline, slalom has evolved- decks, trucks, and wheel technology has been pushed farther and upgraded since the boom of slalom skateboarding rehashed and resurfaced at the end of the nineties.

Advances in the equipment have allowed for faster speeds using the same techniques. I mean, snow skis aren't made of wood anymore; they're fiberglass, I assume, or some modified plastic.

As to why, people began to expiriment on their own, these guys who were ripping in the 70's on trucks that weren't as responsive and decks that weren't performing to their liking who loved this sport and couldn't pick up a slalom deck in any skateboard shop began building and tweaking their own. Need fuels ingenuity, and they've all come leaps and bounds and it's amazing to see the technology in the equipment that we have now.

I still like Joe I's vintage board race- it's awesome, and perhaps I've been spoiled, but I can't perform as well on the old equipment as I can with the new. And I love the variety- it's crazy- flexy, stiff, long, short, concave, the differences in the trucks... honestly I can't tell a difference in the MULTITUDE of different wheels out there. The shapes, tail, no tail, 6 wheels, 4 wheels... it just makes it fun and interesting to try new set ups and there didn't used to be this much of a choice in what you rode. It's awesome. You can't avoid finding a set up that just feels like perfection for the many different course layouts- giant slalom, tight, hybrid... I love it.

Good topic.

**Mile_High_Mark** · 08-23-2007 09:10 AM

New school slalom requires one of these:

**Momona Boe** · 08-23-2007 09:22 AM

They say opinions are like a$$holes - everyone has one.

The newer gear is somewhat more responsive. Trucks are "turnier" so you can go faster. Bigger wheels means going faster too. The smaller wheels of yore were to compensate for bigger turning radii. Urethane has also come a long way since those OJ's - much more grip and rebound means better traction and again - more speed. The jury is out on decks however. Personal preference rides high here. Some folks like flex and camber, some like 'em stiff and flat (insert joke here), concave holds your foot as does a kicktail, foam kits add concave to flat boards, and the there's the whole toe stop thing!

But the bottom line is this: Jason Mitchell is gonna beat you on a Logan Earth Ski with Gullwings and Sims Bowl Riders

**sk8r_betty** · 08-23-2007 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Momona Boe

But the bottom line is this: Jason Mitchell is gonna beat you on a Logan Earth Ski with Gullwings and Sims Bowl Riders

it's funny cause it's true.

**mangels** · 08-23-2007 10:24 AM

I went from 1978 to 2006 without entering a race. In late 2005 when I decided to return to the pump I had a 70's Logan Earth Ski with Tracker Mid's and some spare Sec 9 60mm/78a wheels. I knew there was much flashier stuff out there these days, but I reasoned that I had been quite successful on a set-up such as this back in the 70's, so why not now?

I loved running cones again. It was just as much fun as I remembered. Then I had an opportunity to race in June 2006. That's when I met people with modern equipment. Holy bawlz. What a difference. Today's trucks seem to pump themselves. Each turn feels like stepping on a gas peddal. Whoosh!

So I learned that day that if I wanted to be competitive, I couldn't do it on old style equipment. This year I have stepped in to the 21st century and embraced the technology. I did much better this year. I even beat some of the guys that beat me last year.

Like they always say - Good equipment won't make you a good skater, but good equipment will make a good skater better.

**Mister Surly** · 08-23-2007 12:45 PM

It's funny, I never did any slalom when growing up. Now that I'm grown up
[totally debatable], I dig slalom. I went to the farm this year and raced in
the retro, using a borrowed rig [thanks ATX]. It was a 77 Fiberflex Bowlrider,
with Bennett hangers on Exalibur Pro baseplates, and 65MM Panther wheels.
I have to admit that I was sketched to ride it, but it handled like a dream. I
really couldn't believe that it was as stable and responsive as it was. I could
have ridden that setup in the TS event comfortably (if the front truk pivot
bushing hadn't come apart) and been fine. Not that it was better, or more
stable, than my Indy/Splitfire setup on a concave deck.

So, you asked "why" the changes. New century maybe? I dunno. What
I do know is that when people get into racing of ANY kind, the technology
starts evolving as fast as the racing, maybe faster. Welcome .... back?

**Momona Boe** · 08-23-2007 01:36 PM

yeah Surly...............you RIDE that old board!

**Speedo** · 08-23-2007 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by mangels

I went from 1978 to 2006 without entering a race. In late 2005 when I decided to return to the pump I had a 70's Logan Earth Ski with Tracker Mid's and some spare Sec 9 60mm/78a wheels. I knew there was much flashier stuff out there these days, but I reasoned that I had been quite successful on a set-up such as this back in the 70's, so why not now?

I loved running cones again. It was just as much fun as I remembered. Then I had an opportunity to race in June 2006. That's when I met people with modern equipment. Holy bawlz. What a difference. Today's trucks seem to pump themselves. Each turn feels like stepping on a gas peddal. Whoosh!

So I learned that day that if I wanted to be competitive, I couldn't do it on old style equipment. This year I have stepped in to the 21st century and embraced the technology. I did much better this year. I even beat some of the guys that beat me last year.

Like they always say - Good equipment won't make you a good skater, but good equipment will make a good skater better.

GREAT points!8) I am going through the same thing. Too much equipment stuff to go over now. Lots of choices. The differences in the rigs are like night and day between todays and yesterdays. MH Mark is right. Check out: www.Sk8Kings.com, Ick Sticks, Pocket Pistols Skates, Roe Slalom, ChiXill skate, Pavel-skates, and a few others, and you will catch up rather quickly.

**wafflesole** · 08-23-2007 02:50 PM

i'm new to slalom. But my background is pool sakting. so ive always ridden a 9 inch deck with a tail.

when i saw the pavels paul price i new i had to have it.
9 inch wide, and my rear foot doesnt fall off the back.

i had a come gary cross and it was way to thin and my rear foot slipped.

pavel rocks.

nat

you can see my set up here

www.skatenewzealand.com/decks